Vintage Roadside Tour Stop #3 - Streamline Moderne Coca Cola

For those of you thinking about visiting the Laurelhurst Theatre (Tour Stop #1), we have another beauty for you just around the corner from there.

Built in 1941, the Coca-Cola building at the corner of NE 28th and Couch is one of Portland's finest examples of Streamline Moderne architecture. Once a bottling plant, we confirmed this morning that the facility is now a manufacturing plant for fountain syrup. Please note: this facility is not open for tours.


If you're a fan of this style of architecture (as we are), here's a link to a landmark nomination report for Seattle's Coca-Cola building, also formerly a bottling plant. The report is worth a look as it includes a couple of photos of Portland's Coca-Cola building along with a few beautiful examples of Art Deco / Streamline Moderne buildings around Seattle.

According to the landmark application, Portland's and Seattle's Coca-Cola buildings were both designed by Atlanta architect Jesse M. Shelton.


Beautiful during the day, this building really comes to life at dusk. If you're planning on a movie and a pint at the Laurelhurst Theatre, walk just one block north to see the Coca-Cola building in all its glory.


Helpful Details

NE Couch Street & 28th Ave

How to Get There

Directions from the downtown Hilton courtesy of TriMet

1. Walk northeast from 921 SW 6th Ave to SW 6th & Yamhill (Stop ID 7807)
2. Board 19 Glisan to Gateway TC
3. Get off at NE Glisan & 28th
4. Walk 0.2 mile south to NE 28th Ave & NE Couch St

Travel time: 25 minutes (including 9 minutes walking)
Fares: Adult ($2.00), Youth/Student ($1.50) or Honored Citizen ($0.95)

Have a great weekend!

Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside

Pre-registration ends Wednesday, Feb. 24

Wednesday is the last day to pre-register for the Portland conference! Onsite registration will be available starting March 10 at the Portland Hilton. Tickets for meal events and field trips will be available on a limited basis. Click here to access the online registration form, or fax to (317) 278-5230.

Graduate Students & New Professionals Updates

On behalf of the Graduate Students and New Professionals Committee at NCPH, I'd like to welcome my fellow graduate students (and those who recently transitioned from grad school to the "real world") to the conference and the blog.

A couple of quick updates:

• If you haven't yet, be sure to check out the FAQ list we've put together for the conference. Our committee put this together to help first-time attendees understand the scope of the conference, how to arrive ready to put your best foot forward, and how to become involved in this year's and next year's conferences.

• The Graduate Student Reception is being moved to Grand Ballroom II. This is a change from what has been printed in the pre-conference literature (Alexander Lounge). Because we're a large group (often approaching 30% of overall attendance), we just need more space. The change is too late to update in the printed program, so we'll also be posting flyers and using Twitter and Facebook to remind conference attendees of the change. We're excited that this year's reception is for both NCPH and ASEH graduate students.

• Speaking of Twitter, the conference hashtag is #ncph2010. Feel free to use it (and check it) for updates on the conversations happening around the conference--everything from real-time reactions to speakers, panels, and workshops to on-the-fly announcements of after-hours socializing.

One role of our committee is to make sure that graduate students and new professionals feel welcome at the conference. I'll be posting here later to let folks know about other events for graduate students and new professionals; we'll also have ribbons on our nametags to make us easy to identify--once I know what color, I'll be sure to update here. Don't hesitate to find us and introduce yourselves.

By the way, my name is Leah Nahmias and I serve as the chair of the Graduate Students and New Professionals Committee. I graduated from Brown University's Public Humanities program last spring and recently started working at the American Social History Project. Feel free to ask questions (leah_nahmiasATyahooDOTcom)!

ASEH Fun(d) Run Fundraiser for Hal Rothman Scholarship

There is still time to register for ASEH's "Run for the Hal of It" Fun(d) Run at the Portland meeting. The run/walk event will be held on Saturday morning, March 13, along Portland's scenic waterfront, just a few blocks from the conference hotel. The event is to help raise money for the Hal Rothman Research Fellowship. Entry fees are tax-deductible donations to the fund. Not interested in running the 5K? We've also mapped out a 1.5-mile walking route. You can learn more about the event and download the entry form here. There will be on-site registration, too.

T-shirts are available for purchase online only with all proceeds going to the fund. There are also ASEH coffee mugs and tote bags available on the website.

Please direct any questions to Jamie Lewis at: james.lewis@duke.edu.

Vintage Roadside Tour Stop #2 - Paul Bunyan

We've been known to drive hundreds of miles out of our way to see roadside giants. A Texaco Big Friend in Nevada - check. A Muffler Man in Missouri - check. Yogi Bear in Kentucky - check.

Luckily we also have one of the finest roadside statues right here in Portland. Today we guide you over to Portland's very own Paul Bunyan.


Standing at the intersection of N. Denver and N. Interstate Avenues is one of our favorite roadside attractions in Portland, a 31-foot tall statue of Paul Bunyan recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Interstate Avenue (Highway 99) running through the Kenton neighborhood was one of three designated routes - and the only direct route across the Columbia River to Washington - for the 4 to 8 million travelers expected to visit Oregon's Centennial Exposition during the summer of 1959.


Originally intended to stand for just six months to commemorate the Exposition, Paul Bunyan is still going strong. Fifty-one years and one fifty-nine foot relocation later, Paul has never outlived his welcome, but has continued as both an integral part of the Kenton neighborhood's identity and a must-see for visitors to Portland.

If you're interested in trying out Portland's light rail system, MAX, this is a fun ride from downtown to see one of Portland's most impressive native sons!

Helpful Details

Intersection of N. Denver and N. Interstate Avenues

How to Get There

Directions from the downtown Hilton courtesy of TriMet

1. Walk 0.11 mile north from 921 SW 6th Ave to Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th Ave MAX Station (Stop ID 7777)
2. Board MAX Yellow Line to Expo Center
3. Get off at Kenton/N Denver Ave MAX Station
4. Walk 0.1 mile northwest to N Denver & N Interstate Ave

Travel time: 28 minutes (including 6 minutes walking)
Fares: Adult ($2.00), Youth/Student ($1.50), Honored Citizen ($0.95)

Enjoy your visit with Paul!

Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside

Early bird registration extended to Monday, Feb. 15!

Call it a Valentine's Day present. The deadline for early bird registration for the ASEH/NCPH conference has been extended from Feb. 12 to 2 p.m. (eastern standard time) on Monday, Feb. 15. Early registration rates are $110 for members, $50 for student members, $125 for non-members and $50 for a single day registration.

Visit the registration page to sign up now!

Vintage Roadside Tour Stop #1 - Laurelhurst Theatre

Kicking off our tour of vintage Portland is the Laurelhurst Theatre.

A stunning Art Deco movie theatre built in 1923 and restored in 2000, the independently owned Laurelhurst Theatre is home to some of Portland's finest neon and is one of the most popular places to see a movie and grab a pint and a slice of pizza on Portland's east side.

The Laurelhurst is known for its great selection of microbrews and the fact that you can bring your food and drink into the theatre to enjoy while watching your movie.

Two more things you need to know:

All movies are $3.00
March's movie theme is...Sci Fi!

If you can only visit one or two places around town while you're here for the conference, the Laurelhurst is a great place to experience a taste of vintage Portland with a twist.


Helpful Details

2735 East Burnside Street
(503) 232-5511

Mon-Thu 6pm-11:30pm
Fri 4pm-11:30pm
Weekends 1pm-11:30pm

How to Get There

Directions from the downtown Hilton courtesy of TriMet

1. Walk northeast from 921 SW 6th Ave to SW 6th & Yamhill (Stop ID 7807)
2. Board #19 Glisan to Gateway TC
3. Get off at NE Glisan & 28th
4. Walk 0.3 miles south to 2735 East Burnside Street

Travel time: 26 minutes (including 12 minutes walking)
Fares: Adult ($2.00), Youth/Student ($1.50) or Honored Citizen ($0.95)


Enjoy the show!

Remember Early Bird registration ends tomorrow - Friday, Feb. 12th!

Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside

Vintage Roadside welcomes you to Portland!

Hello from Vintage Roadside!

We are so excited that the ASEH / NCPH joint conference is being held in our hometown of Portland, Oregon, March 10th - 14th!

Aside from looking forward to meeting all of you in the conference exhibit hall, we're also taking this opportunity to welcome attendees to our hometown by posting a series of articles here on the 2010 ASEH/NCPH Conference Blog. Our posts will highlight the fantastic vintage sights to see around Portland including some of our favorite roadside architecture, neon signs, restored theaters, tiki bars, and, of course, fiberglass giants.

There is one thing we'd like you to do if you haven't already - register!

Early Bird registration for the conference ends on Friday, February 12th. This is a great time to save $15 off of regular registration fees. Just take a minute to click here to register and lock in the Early Bird rate.

We can guarantee you won't want to miss this year's conference. In addition to an incredible line-up of speakers, seminars, walking tours, and vendors, you're going to love vintage Portland!

And now, here's a sneak peek at the first place we'll be featuring in Vintage Roadside's tour of vintage Portland.


There is much more to come so be sure to register for the conference and stay tuned. See you on Thursday!

Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside

Early Bird Registration Ends on Friday!

Save $15 off of regular registration fees by submitting your registration form before the early bird deadline on Friday, February 12. Click here to register online.

Let the blogging begin!

For the third year, the National Council on Public History is hosting a blog as part of its annual conference, taking place this year along with the American Society for Environmental History in Portland, Oregon between March 10 and 14.  Regular digests of materials from this blog will also be posted on our digest page, as well as on the H-Public listserv.  If you're attending the conference and would like to be able to post here as an author, just send us an email and we'll be happy to give you access. Information about the conference and sponsors can be found in the links to the right, and more information about the program, special events, and the Portland area will be appearing here soon!

Good Food, Good Conversation

We’re looking for several volunteers to suggest a topic for ‘dine arounds’ on Thursday, March 11 (6:30 pm – 9:00 pm). Volunteer facilitators pick a focus for conversation, make reservations at a nearby restaurant, and agree to lead their group to dinner. Participants sign up at the conference. Sign up is free but each participant covers the cost of his/her meal.